OUR SCHOOL STAFF
Ms. Nicole Stewart
Ms. Stewart is a Casa Guide with 15 years of experience in the field of education. Her introduction to the Montessori method began in 2009 when she was attending York University and working as Mrs. Vadera’s classroom assistant. She has worked with Casa-aged children ever since. Ms. Stewart also has experience working with children of all ages and is a Registered Early Childhood Educator. Ms. Stewart earned her AMI Montessori Primary Certification from the Foundation for Montessori Education in Toronto, which is recognized globally. When she’s not at school, you can find Ms. Stewart cooking, camping, or dabbling in her latest hobby, car mods and maintenance.
Ms. Carla Zanetti
Carla Zanetti was born and raised in Kingston, Ontario. She graduated from Queen’s University with a specialty in languages. Carla pursued postgraduate studies in France at the Université de Montpellier and the Universita di Perugia in Italy. Upon her return to Canada, she moved to Montreal where she worked as a bilingual proof-reader, a programmer and a system analyst. Eventually, she started her own business as an analyst/consultant. Carla and her family have lived in Pickering since 1990. Over the next thirty years, Carla pursued a career in education, originally with the Durham School Board and subsequently in a local Montessori school. Her passion and enthusiasm for the Montessori method led her to take the AMI Montessori training at the Foundation for Montessori Education in Toronto for Casa children (3-6 years of age) and then she served as a Montessori Directress for the next seventeen years. In 2022, when Ms Vadera opened her new school in Pickering, Carla was delighted to accept a position as consultant with Montessori Casa. Each day, as the need arises, Ms Zanetti assists in a variety of capacities including adviser and substitute teacher, always ensuring that the children’s needs are met.
Ms. Rebecca Bodington
Ms. Boddington attended a Montessori school as a child. This, in a big way, led her to where she is today. As the unofficial saying goes: ‘Montessori never leaves you’. After completing a Liberal Arts degree program, she worked with children in various capacities, from volunteering with a youth ministry organization to teaching a homeschool kindergarten curriculum. Along the way, hearing more and more about Dr. Montessori, her interest in Maria’s method of teaching began to grow. She completed her AMI assistant training in 2022. Miss. Bodington is an Assistant in the Children’s House. Currently she is on part-time status and taking her AMI Assistance to Infancy 0-3 training in London England.
Mrs. Andrea Ferrara
Mrs. Ferrara has lived and has been part of the Ajax/ Pickering community for over 40 years. Andrea has over 30 years of work experience with children, through summer camps, nanny positions, nursery school and Montessori. Mrs. Ferrara completed her AMI Orientation Training for children ages 0-3 with the Washington Montessori Institute. She loves nature walks, reading and spending time with her husband and their son. She currently serves in the Young Children’s Community.
Ms. Veronica Malfatti
Veronica was born and raised in Toronto, where her early experiences as a Montessori child, combined with the influence of her mother, an accredited Montessori educator, ignited her lifelong passion. Veronica was deeply involved in the performing arts which led her to study at the Randolph Academy of Performing Arts and earn a diploma in Triple Threat Performance. Despite her achievements in the arts, Veronica recognized that her true vocation lay in teaching and nurturing young minds. She graduated as a Casa directress in 2015 from the Foundation for Montessori Education, the A.M.I. training center in Toronto. Since then, Veronica has gained extensive experience as a lead guide in Children’s House classrooms across Toronto as well as abroad in Southern California and Arizona. In 2022, Veronica embraced motherhood and is grateful to follow her son, Theo, on his own journey through Montessori education. She remains deeply committed to creating and sustaining a nurturing environment where children can thrive and is thankful to be a part of the loving and inspiring Montessori Casa community. Veronica currently serves as a guide in the Casa Children’s House.
Mrs. Maria Aragno
Maria was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in a loving and nurturing family with five siblings. She brings over 35 years of experience working with children and families in both Argentina and Canada.
Maria holds a degree in Early Childhood Education and has completed numerous professional development workshops on topics such as multiple intelligences, neuroscience, ASD, ADHD, and classroom management. Her experience includes working extensively with children with various neurological conditions in both countries.
Currently, Maria is honored to be part of the Montessori Casa community, where she is committed to nurturing children’s spirits and guiding them on their journey to become compassionate and capable individuals, contributing to a brighter future. She is proud to work alongside a dedicated team of exceptional educators in pursuit of this goal.
Mrs.Nida Vadera
Mrs. Nida Khan Vadera received her AMI Primary 3-6 Training at the Foundation for Montessori Education in Toronto, Ontario. She completed her undergraduate studies in Early Childhood Education. She has been working in Childcare for the past 20 years. Most recently her work with Educateur Sans Frontier led to understanding the gaps and holes in Montessori education in our region. Currently she is expanding her knowledge in the next plane of development and taking her AMI Elementary 6-12 training at the Montessori Institute of North Texas. Mrs. Vadera lives in Pickering with her husband and two children. She currently serves as the Head of School.
Mrs. Daniella Orellana
Originally from Lima, Peru, Mrs. Orellana brings with her a wealth of diverse experience. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering and a Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing. In 2023, she made the life-changing decision to move to Canada with her husband and two daughters to embrace new opportunities and continue her professional and personal growth.
In Peru, Mrs. Orellana founded and managed a children’s event company that provided creative and educational experiences for children aged 6 months to 12 years. This venture ignited her deep interest in early childhood development and in fostering joyful, purposeful learning environments.
After arriving in Canada, she continued to nurture her passion for working with children by volunteering with organizations supporting children with autism and by teaching Spanish. Deeply inspired by the Montessori philosophy, she aspires to become a Casa Montessori Guide for children aged 3 to 6. She is currently part of the Casa Children’s House team.
Outside of school, she enjoys spending quality time with her family and cheering on her daughters in the sport they love—basketball.
Mme. Harmel Karine Tshibangu
Mme. Harmel Karine Tshibangu has always had a natural passion for caring for and working with children. Raised in a large family, she grew up surrounded by children and developed a deep appreciation for nurturing and supporting their growth from an early age. She brings several years of experience working with children in Montessori environments and is passionate about creating a safe, nurturing, and welcoming space where every child can thrive. With strong organizational, communication, and teamwork skills, she is dedicated to supporting each child’s development with patience, care, and respect.
Mrs. Brisayda Valladares
Mrs. Valladares is originally from Mexico and immigrated three years ago with her husband and their three children with the hopes of building a brighter future here in Canada. She now resides in Oshawa with her family and their dog, Pomash. She holds a degree in Early Childhood Education, which she practiced for many years in Mexico, working with children from 3 months to 4 years old. Currently, she continues her passion for supporting children with love, respect, and dedication as part of the team at Montessori Casa. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking traditional Mexican dishes and especially loves making desserts.
Ms. Jennifer Turner
Ms. Turner learned about Montessori education after graduating from the University of Toronto. She immediately knew this was the career path for her when she spent time as a classroom assistant in a Montessori school in Toronto. She took her AMI training the following September and has been working either as a Casa Directress or an Administrator for over 25 years. She has continued to learn and study, earning her Master of Education with a focus on Montessori and inclusion. When not at work, Ms. Turner enjoys spending time at home with her family and rescue animals.